South Adelaide ruckman Keegan Brooksby taken by AFL club Hawthorn under SSP period rules
South Adelaide ruckman Keegan Brooksby has joined Hawthorn less than a month from the start of the SANFL season, filling the Hawks’ final list spot.
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South Adelaide ruckman Keegan Brooksby’s departure to Hawthorn is confirmed, leaving the SANFL club fuming about losing its star big man less than a month out from Round One.
The Hawks announced on Friday they had signed Brooksby to a one-year rookie contract as part of the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).
The Messenger reported on Thursday the 29-year-old former Gold Coast and West Coast ruckman had a medical at Hawthorn.
Hawks general manager of football Graham Wright said Brooksby would help the club’s ruck depth, with only big men Jonathon Ceglar and youngster Ned Reeves on the list and Ben McEvoy moved to defence.
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“Keegan is a durable and high-quality state league player and has experience at the elite level,” Wright told the Hawthorn website.
“He’s a mature ruckman, known for his work rate and professionalism and we’re really happy to have him at the club.”
It is the second time Brooksby has left South Adelaide under the SSP, which allows AFL clubs to pick up players who have previously been on an AFL list or nominated for the draft to replace long-term injured or retired players.
West Coast took Brooksby under the rule in 2018 but he did not make an AFL appearance for the Eagles.
He played 14 games for Gold Coast from 2015-17.
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In March 2019, South also lost young tall Hayden McLean to Sydney during the same period and the Swans then picked Panthers ruckman Michael Knoll in the mid-season draft.
Panthers chief executive Neill Sharpe said the club’s issue was not with Hawthorn, but the AFL rules which allow players to be poached from state league clubs just weeks from round one.
“As a footy club we’re extremely disappointed to have a player leave on the eve of the season,” Sharpe said.
“Our season was seriously impacted last year by this and it looms as happening again. There’s no club that’s been hit harder by this than us.
“It’s extremely deflating. As a footy club we’re extremely disappointed ... it’s just not right basically.”
Sharpe said the club would receive $10,000 compensation for losing Brooksby.
Previously state league clubs did not receive anything for losing a player via SSP or the mid-season draft.
Brooksby was expected to be part of the Panthers’ push to end their 55-year SANFL premiership drought alongside star recruits Matthew Broadbent (Port Adelaide) and James Rose (Sydney).
South begins its season against Adelaide on Saturday, April 4.
patrick.keam@news.com.au